Human gut microbiota in patients with traits of metabolic syndrome before and after Helichrysum italicum and Helichrysum arenarium infusions consumption

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of Helichrysum italicum (HI) or Helichrysum arenarium (HA) infusion on the composition of the gut microbiota. Thirty participants with traits of metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to two groups and received either HA or HI tea filter bags, each containing 1 g of dried plant material, for daily consumption for 4 weeks. Their stool samples were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention. The human gut microbiota was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA V4 region using Ion S5 System.